Sedation

Beyond nitrous oxide Minimal Sedation, Drs. Kyle Diehl and Colleen Leong have been extensively trained in the administration of Moderate Sedation in both Oral and Intravenous forms. While in residency, Drs. Diehl and Leong completed over three times the Colorado state’s minimum requirement to obtain a permit to administer Moderate sedation and have advanced training in airway and cardiac management as well as extensive training in the management of medical emergencies.

With Moderate Sedation, you will be able to respond to our team’s verbal and tactile stimulation and also maintain your own airway, breathing, and cardiovascular function. During the sedation, you may feel sleepy or tired and less “with it” overall. Some patients do fall asleep and remember very little from the procedure. Everyone responds to Moderate Sedation differently. Moderate Sedation, specifically Intravenous Moderate Sedation, is the sedation method of choice for most of our patients in our practice.

With both Oral and Intravenous Moderate Sedation, a trusted friend, family member, or chaperone must bring you to and from your appointment. Our full instructions for both Oral and Intravenous Moderate Sedation can be found linked here.

With Oral Moderate Sedation, you will be prescribed an anxiolytic medication prior to your appointment with specific instructions on when to take the medication so that maximum effect is achieved for the surgery. You can eat and drink prior to oral sedation.

With Intravenous Moderate Sedation, you cannot eat and drink for at least 8 hours prior to presenting for the surgery and sedation. You will be monitored throughout the surgery via a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, and nasal cannula to assess your oxygen saturation and end-tidal carbon dioxide levels. An IV line will be started in your arm and fluids and anxiolytic medications will be given through the line to achieve full effect. Again, everyone responds to Moderate Sedation differently.